The Los Angeles competition is one of the world’s oldest, now in its 78th year. With over 3000 entries and 75 international wine experts on the judging panels it is also considered one of the most prestigious wine shows in the USA.

Sileni CEO Nigel Avery says “Sauvignon Blanc has been an outstanding performer for us in wine shows all over the world and a Gold Medal from this highly respected show in our fastest growing market will help to continue this growth trajectory. These intensely aromatic and juicy styles never fail to appeal to consumers looking for fresh, food friendly wines.”

The fruit for the 2016 Straits Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from several blocks across the Marlborough region, each contributing a slightly different flavor profile to the final blend. Allowed to sit “sur lie” for several months after fermentation was complete, the finished wine has classic Marlborough Sauvignon fruit characters of gooseberry, grapefruit and passionfruit, with a silky, rounded finish that is a brilliant match with seafood.

“Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has been firmly established as the benchmark for this variety for the last 25 years, and blending sub-regional flavours along with the addition of lees ageing is just adding more complexity and interest” says Sileni’s White Winemaker Nigel Davies.

The Straits Sauvignon Blanc is widely available throughout New Zealand and from the Sileni Cellar Door at RRP $24.99.